Some amazing things have been happening in Cambodia over the last month or so.

Last month Sareth (pictured above) was imprisoned on trumped up charges. A strong man payed off local authorities and Sareth was placed in jail for 30 days. There was no understanding why this happened or when he would be released. His release came just a week or so ago with the help of a believing Senator.

This same Senator has also given a warm and passionate welcome to Cadence and our partner ministry LightBridge to come and work in Cambodia. Sareth has been welcomed back to his home in the Minefield with tears and rejoicing. The recently built school has been recognized by the Cambodian government. Ministry has been able to continue at the Minefield. Sareth has stories to tell of the Lord at work in his heart and life while he was in jail.

This strong man wanted to thwart the work the Lord is doing in this small area of Cambodia. He was trying to stop the forward progress happening in this village...which will enable these sweet people to move beyond survival and to start thriving.

What this man meant for evil, the Lord has used for good. More doors have been opened. I can hardly express how excited I am to get to Cambodia...and begin to minister to the women in this village. The Lord is at work, and I can't wait to join Him there!

This picture shows what I expect to see when I see a dog and bike. This past Sunday I saw something different. I don't have a picture...so you will have to imagine it with me.

I was on my way to share about Cambodia at a friends church. I was thinking and praying about what stories in my head and on my heart the Lord would want me to share with this sweet group of believers.

I was driving on a pretty busy street, but was the only car on my side. I saw up ahead a bike and a dog thinking about crossing the street. The rider was focused on the traffic, but the dog was focused on its master. The dog was prancing in place waiting for the signal to go.

The did move halfway across the street in front of me...the dog never really taking his eyes off of his master...his whole body expressing excitement to be on this journey ...not moving ahead but staying right by the side of the master.

Several things struck me all at once...

The dogs excitement

The dogs complete focus on its master

The fact that the dog didn't run ahead or pull with all its might

There were no obvious commands from the master, but the dog knew when to stay and when to go

Instantly I was encouraged that I need to be like that sweet little dog...excited to be on a journey with my Master. Prancing in place waiting for the signal to go, but staying right by His side. And above all else keeping my focus on my Master, Jesus.

What I expected to see is what I so often see in my own life...impatience, straining to move faster, trying to set our course...following my own instincts.

Oh how I want to be like this dog...thank you Lord for this gentle reminder to stay focused on you...you will navigate me safely across the busy 'streets' of life. May I never lose the excitement and knowledge of what a privilege it is to be right by Your side.

Several of the people at church really appreciated this 'picture' as well : )

This sweet little family lives in a minefield in Cambodia.

Karla is the American woman holding the baby. She is a dear friend that took me on my first trip to the minefield.

I am sharing her experience with you.

Several months ago while visiting the Minefield Karla came across this little family. The little girl and baby on the dirt path, no mother in site, just a baby caring for a baby. This poor little 'babysitter' was traumatized when Karla took her baby sister from her. The little one was dehydrated and very lethargic.

Here is the story in Karla's words...

"We stood in the path holding this precious little baby while the 'big' sister cried. After quite a few minutes, the mother came along. Apparently, the mother left the baby with the sister to hold while she went to the market for some food. We brought the family back to our school building to make sure the baby was alright and to see if we could help the mother. We were able to give her some money to help with food and encouraged her to not leave her babies by themselves. The next day we visited the mother and she seemed to be doing better. "

Fast forward to this week...

"Today in our women's ministry time, I noticed a sweet lady smiling at me and realized it was this same mother. I was so excited to see her. After our meeting time, I talked with her and asked how she was doing and where her baby was (her older daughter was with her). With a shameful face and tears stinging her eyes, she shared that she had to give her baby to a family in the city for adoption because she just couldn't take care of her. I was stunned and not prepared for this kind of news. Don't get me wrong, I fully support and believe in adoption. But seeing the ache in this young mom's eyes was more than I could bear. The heart of THIS mother was broken."

This is just one heartbreaking story among many in Cambodia. The daily struggle to survive is more than we can imagine. Our hearts break for them...and I know their Creator's heart is moved by their struggle too. I don't know how to help these women. I have some ideas and hopes, but only Jesus knows what they need. I am looking forward to bringing Jesus to this woman and so many more just like her. He is their solution and I know He has a plan for them.

Please join me in praying. I am so longing to get to Cambodia!

Blessings

The Lord has been blessing me over and over again... Walking this road of support raising has been a blast. The Lord opens doors and hearts and I get a blessing! He has added several people to my support team this last week...and many prayer warriors. Thank you for those prayers!!! Other blessings... A trip to Costa Rica to visit my dear friend Amy. Sun at the beach Monkeys playing in the trees Worship with Amy Dessert Parties The prayers of new friends Hearts responding to the Lord

Loving the blessings and the Bless er!

This is the Christmas tree that is up in my home. I am very excited to have a tree this year...it has been many years since I put one up. I like the lights and the tinsel : ) Yep I am one of those that think the sparkle of tinsel is necessary. The tree is sparkling for me right now! One of the Christmas parties I attended last week reminded me that sparkle is pretty important to Jesus. He is the Light of the World...much more than just a little Christmas tree sparkle...but The Light of the World. Without Him we would be in darkness. He wants us to be lights too...we are the ones who sparkle. We are to let our light shine...the Light of Jesus to shine through us to others. The neat thing about this Light...it shines whether we are aware of it or not. Shine on Jesus...the celebration of your birthday is coming : ) "For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they will see you good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Jesus...change my heart

"It is the cry of my heart to follow, it is the cry of my to heart to be close to you, it is the cry of my heart to follow all of the days of my life" Terry Butler

This has been one of my favorite songs for a decade now...and I was once again reminded of it as I sat down at the piano to play and worship. It has been way to long since I have been able to pound out my praise to Jesus. My heart starting singing this song...my desire to follow Jesus all the days of my life. I didn't have the music, but my fingers remembered most of the song. : )

I was reminded that this is the cry of my heart...to want to follow Jesus...but practically, moment by moment this is not always the song on my lips. I regularly have duelling emotions going on in my heart and I can't change those emotions by trying harder.

I can't change my heart...I can't alter my affections...only Jesus can.

"How does change of the heart occur? We increasingly have interactive, face-to-face encounters with God: moments of clarity ..., and moments of comfort and encouragement. In these moments we connect with God and learn to live a lifetime of such moments." Jan Johnson I was encouraged by this quote to seek to have some face-to-face time with Jesus last night. It wasn't profound...but it was real. The result of my time with Jesus won't change the world, but it did change me. I was comforted by the God of the Universe. Pretty amazing that He would want to spend time with me. Spend a little time with Jesus!

Labor and Rest

Today was a day to rest from our labors...not that I labor physically like those the holiday was created for...but none the less a day of rest. We know that physical rest is important, our bodies need it in order to survive but also to thrive. How many days of poor sleep does it take before we begin to struggle? It only takes a few and we begin to see things in a negative light. The tasks before us seem harder and our ability to cope is compromised. We also know that spiritual rest is important. We need to rest in a power greater than our own or we will not survive. We don't often take the time to think about spiritual rest let alone practice it. Spiritual rest goes beyond physical rest...although it does give our bodies and minds a rest...to the very core of who we are. Spiritual rest is the act of taking off the old...our flesh...and putting on the new...Jesus Christ. He is our spiritual rest. We have no spiritual rest without Him. We rest in Him when we give him the burdens of our hearts, minds and life. We rest in Him as we acknowledge our dependence on Him and trust Him instead of ourselves. We rest in Him when we give Him our agenda's to replace with His own. How long can we go without this spiritual rest...before our ability to live is compromised? With our physical rest it takes only a few days...but our spiritual tank is harder to see and harder to evaluate. The truth is... Jesus did not design us to go even a moment without Him...His spiritual rest. We need Him moment by moment to refresh us with Himself. I know many who have gone their whole christian life without this rest...I know others who have tasted of this rest again and again but for some reason a circumstance (new or old) has them putting on the old and shrugging off Jesus Christ, trusting their own limited resources instead of His limitless supply. Did you labor today or rest? Was your old self in control or did you submit to Jesus? He is not a taskmaster keeping us performing and working for Him...He is a loving all powerful savior who promises to give us rest as we come to Him. Seek Him today for His rest...don't waste another moment!